title: Spinal cystic echinococcosis--a systematic analysis and review of the literature: part 1. Epidemiology and anatomy.
abstract: Bone involvement in human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is rare, but affects the spine in approximately 50% of cases. Despite significant advances in diagnostic imaging techniques as well as surgical and medical treatment of spinal CE, our basic understanding of the parasite's predilection for the spine remains incomplete. To fill this gap, we systematically reviewed the published literature of the last five decades to summarize and analyze the currently existing data on epidemiological and anatomical aspects of spinal CE.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neumayr
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tamarozzi
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goblirsch
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult